WavePad
nch.com.au
What it is
WavePad records and edits music, voice, and other audio on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its editing tools include cut, copy, paste, trim, compression, and pitch shifting, while effects include echo, amplification, and equalization. Restoration tools reduce noise and remove clicks and pops. The software supports more than 50 formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC, and M4A. Batch processing can apply effects or convert thousands of files in one operation. WavePad supports sample rates from 6 to 192 kHz, in stereo or mono and at 8, 16, 24, or 32 bits. It also supports DirectX and VST plugins, though the Standard Edition excludes VST support and the SFX Library. The maker lists podcast and radio editing, voiceovers, ringtone creation, and audio restoration as typical uses. The free version costs nothing, is for non-commercial use, and does not expire. It enables additional Master's Edition features for a 14-day trial after installation. Paid options include $60 a year for Standard Edition and $99 a year for Master's Edition.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- WavePad records and edits music, voice and other audio files with cutting, pasting, effects and format conversion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Purpose
- WavePad records and edits music, voice and other audio recordings.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Deployment
- GetApp classifies WavePad as on-premise software for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
- Free plan
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
- Integrations
- Official pages describe MixPad integration and DirectX and VST DLL plug-in support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Privacy
- NCH's privacy policy says it does not store credit card information and uses SSL to encrypt personal information in transit on its site.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Support
- NCH provides WavePad video tutorials, a help manual, FAQ, forum and technical support contact.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Headquarters
- Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaRead 28 Sep 2026 · nch.com.au
- Founded
- 1993Read 28 Sep 2026 · nch.com.au
- Analysis tools
- Advanced tools include FFT spectral analysis, TFFT and beat detection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- API and SDK
- The official feature and help pages document plug-ins and MixPad integration but list no public WavePad API or SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Audio quality
- Supported sample rates range from 6 to 192 kHz, with mono or stereo and 8-, 16-, 24- or 32-bit audio.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Audio restoration
- A noise-removal wizard and click/pop removal tools target hiss, hum, static, echo and other unwanted sounds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Batch processing
- Batch tools apply effects or convert thousands of files in one operation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Changelog
- Version 24.57 is identified as a Windows maintenance release uploaded on October 9, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Company facts
- LinkedIn lists NCH Software as privately held, founded in 1993, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, with 51–200 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Company founder
- Crunchbase identifies Peter Lupton as NCH Software's founder and chief executive officer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
- Documentation and support
- NCH provides FAQs, a searchable help manual, tutorials, videos, forums and optional email or phone support plans.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
- Editing
- Editing tools include cut, copy, paste, trim, compression and pitch shifting.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Editing tools
- Core editing includes cut, copy, paste, delete, insert, silence, auto-trim, compression and pitch shifting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Effects
- Built-in effects include echo, amplification, equalization, normalization, envelope, reverb and reverse.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Effects and restoration
- Effects include echo, amplification and equalization, while restoration tools reduce noise and remove clicks and pops.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Format support
- The product advertises support for more than 50 formats including MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC, M4A, MIDI, VOX and GSM.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Formats
- WavePad supports more than 50 audio formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC and M4A.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Free use and trial
- The free version is for non-commercial use, does not expire, and enables additional Master's Edition features for a 14-day trial after installation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Integration
- The product page says WavePad integrates with NCH's MixPad Multi-Track Audio Mixer.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Licence
- NCH's EULA reserves copyright to NCH and licenses installation and use, making WavePad proprietary rather than open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Limit: mobile reliability
- Google Play reviewers report recording stopping when the phone sleeps, save-folder problems and purchases remaining labeled as the free version.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Limit: multitrack
- Reviewers and TechRadar note that WavePad lacks multitrack recording and a mixer, requiring MixPad or another application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
- Limit: plug-ins
- A Software Advice reviewer reported that the free version lacks VST support, while other reviews mention plug-in management difficulties.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
- Limit: support
- Independent reviews repeatedly rate customer support below other categories and report slow or missing responses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Mobile cloud integration
- The iOS listing says the app can upload and download through Google Drive and Dropbox.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Noise reduction
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
- Notable news
- The versions page records a WavePad 24.57 maintenance release uploaded October 9, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Platforms and requirements
- The page lists Windows 7 to 11, macOS 10.5 or above, iPhone, iPad, Android and Kindle downloads.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Plugins
- The software supports DirectX and VST plugins; the store says the Standard Edition excludes VST support and the SFX Library.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Praise: ease of use
- Independent reviewers repeatedly praise the simple, intuitive interface and quick learning curve.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Praise: restoration
- Users repeatedly highlight noise reduction, vocal cleanup and other restoration effects as effective.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
- Praise: value and formats
- Reviewers frequently praise the free version, broad format conversion and strong feature set for low cost.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
- Rating on Apple App Store
- 4.6 out of 5 from 4.4K ratings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Rating on Capterra
- 4.5 out of 5 from 35 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
- Rating on G2
- 4.3 out of 5 from 34 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
- Rating on GetApp
- 4.5 out of 5 from 35 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
- Rating on Google Play
- 3.2 out of 5 from 37.7K reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
- Rating on Software Advice
- 4.5 out of 5 from 35 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
- Rating on Trustpilot
- 4.3 out of 5 from 1,593 NCH Software reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Sample rates
- WavePad supports sample rates from 6 to 192 kHz, in stereo or mono and 8, 16, 24 or 32 bits.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Security and privacy
- The EULA says limited anonymized usage statistics may be collected under NCH's privacy statement and software is supplied as-is with liability limitations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidRead 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
- System requirements
- The product page lists Windows 7 through 11 and macOS 10.5 or later; mobile requirements are iOS 12 or later and Android 5.0 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Third-party plugins
- YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
- Typical uses
- The maker lists podcast and radio editing, voiceovers, ringtone creation and audio restoration among typical uses.Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
- Video export
- Audio can be exported to video with waveform, FFT or image visualizations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
Plans and prices
Master's Edition Annual Plan $99 a year billed annually SFX Library · Full VST support Read 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Standard Edition Annual Plan $60 a year billed annually Master's Edition features without VST plugin support · No SFX Library Read 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Master's Edition Quarterly Plan $16.50 a month Billed $16.50 quarterly Unlimited ongoing use of professional-version features · All upgrades Read 21 Sep 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Free version Free Non-commercial use only · does not expire · many Master's Edition features Read 3 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
WavePad Free Version Free Non-commercial use only · standard features remain after trial Read 15 Oct 2026 · nch.com.au
Master's Edition Quarterly Plan $21.48 a month $21.48 quarterly Unlimited ongoing professional features and upgrades Read 15 Oct 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Standard Edition Annual Plan $39.95 a year $39.95+VAT/year; $43.95 including GST Master's features without VST plugins or SFX Library · single license Read 15 Oct 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Master's Edition Annual Plan $69.95 a year $69.95+VAT/year; $76.95 including GST All Master's features · SFX Library · full VST support · single license Read 15 Oct 2026 · secure.nch.com.au
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports more than 50 audio formats.
- Batch processing handles thousands of files.
- Noise reduction and click-and-pop removal are included.
- Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Free version does not expire.
Limits
- Free version is for non-commercial use only.
- Standard Edition excludes VST plugin support.
- Standard Edition excludes the SFX Library.
- Master's Edition Annual Plan costs $99 a year.
Who it suits
WavePad suits people editing music, speech, podcasts, radio, voiceovers, or other recordings across desktop and mobile platforms. Its free version is limited to non-commercial use.
Verdict
WavePad covers common editing, effects, restoration, and batch-conversion tasks across four listed platforms. Readers choosing an edition should note the free version's non-commercial restriction and the Standard Edition's plugin and library exclusions.
Where Specifiction places it
- Audio Editing Software#3 of 1319.2
- Audio editors#4 of 318.8
- Game Audio Editors#5 of 318.5
